Simon Delestre and Olga van de Kruishoeve won Thursday's CSIO5* 1.50m Prix FFE in La Baule. Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson/WoSJ.
Text © World of Showjumping
"I love this mare," France's Simon Delestre – current world number eight – told World of Showjumping about his 10-year-old Olga van de Kruishoeve (El Torreo de Muze x Nabab de Reve), after the two kicked off the 2024-edition of CSIO5* Jumping International de La Baule on the beautiful west-coast of France with a popular home win in Thursday's CSIO5* 1.50m Prix FFE, a class counting for the Longines Ranking Group D.
"I think the course was really nice today, it was fair and nice to ride," Delestre commented to World of Showjumping after his victory. "Olga has recorded many five-star victories in the last six months; she in incredibly fast and super careful. She jumped a super round today and the feeling was great. We are lucky to have beautiful weather, and the arena looks amazing – I am really happy to be back in La Baule."
"She in incredibly fast and super careful," Simon Delestre said about Olga van de Kruishoeve. Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson/WoSJ.
With a time of 60.59, the former world number one took the win in this 1.50m competition against the clock – leaving his compatriots Kevin Staut (FRA) and Beau de Laubry Z (Bisquet Balou C x Nabab de Reve) to second in 60.74 and Marc Dilasser (FRA) aboard Arioto du Gevres (Diamant de Semilly x Qualisco III) to third in 61.93. The hosts started the weekend strong by taking the top three placings, while Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) and Poppemieke JW van de Moerhoeve (Vigo d'Arsouilles x Diamant de Semilly) finished fourth in 62.89, followed by Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) and Elysium (VDL Zirocco Blue x Coronado 3) in fifth in 63.43.
The second CSIO5* class of the day, the 1.45m Prix Loire Atlantique – also counting for the Longines Ranking Group D – went to the hosts as well, with Nicolas Delmotte (FRA) and Citadin du Chatellier (L'Arc de Triomphe x Diamant de Semilly) taking the top honours ahead of McLain Ward (USA) and First Lady (Don Diarado x Lordanos) in second and Gregory Wathelet (BEL) aboard Berline du Maillet Z (Berlin x Action-Breaker) in third. Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli (SWE) and Dyrka du Carry (Siryus de Bavoz x Ruyblas) finished fourth, followed by Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) and Kwik Tweet (For Pleasure x Twisther) in fifth.
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